Projects Cutting my Hotrod Teeth (57 Chevy Budget build/revival)

Looks like no grooves on the input shaft which would point to it being a 2.94 first gear, same as my now blown up Muncie I think..

 

Not a popular trans, personally I have no problem with them, just light duty, do not survive long dumping the clutch, otherwise they can go a long time with care and attention to oil levels. Personally would not be inclined to pay 150, more like 75.

could keep the coloumn shift and use a cable to shift reverse

 

2:84 first gear. I’d use it.

 

I think I’ll grab the Saginaw. $150 isn’t cheap, but it’s not 1995 anymore, none of this old stuff is cheap anymore. Several other sag 4 speeds are priced between 200-500 near me.

 

Yeah I’m old and forget everything has gotten more expensive than I remember

 

Uncanny how you managed to pretty much nail the last time I bought one
Pick a part 75$ came out of a 77 Pontiac astre . still on the road (sorta) even though its behind 300 hp, resides in my brother in laws truck and doesn’t get much exercise cause he’s even older than me

 

Speaking of outrageous prices, anyone shopped for a Hurst shifter and linkage lately?!

Wonder if I could make one for a bench seat nova work…

 

Why not just modify the stock shifter to work? Cheaper plus era correct

 

The column shift is cool, but only with a 3 speed IMO. If I’m switching to a 4 speed, it should be a floor shifter. Plus I’d still have to engineer a cable to pull it into reverse if I went with the column shift

 

Thinking I could probably make this work, Might need a modified shift lever to move it further forward, but how much different could a trifive and a nova be if both have bench seats...

https://www.oerparts.com/product/6264024.html

 

Yup. You done it good and broke the input shaft. No clutch dumping? For $150 it would not hurt to freshen it up but for occasional cruising you could take a chance. Was the slomaro ever ran hard?

 

Well, not clutch dumping AFTER I stopped dumping the clutch when I put the second clutch in it...

No idea what the condition of the sag is. It's cheaper than just about any other transmission that would bolt up available locally, and the seller says it shifted fine when he removed it. Going to take a look and probably buy it after work.

 

Be sure to ask about the shift lever arms, probably cost as much to replace as the trans

 

I was going to just ask to take the side cover off

 

I’d chuck it in change the oil , install a magnet in the drain plug if it doesn’t have one and run it , that will give you an idea of any issues. Iirc the gm trans are within an inch so if the yoke fits the output the drive shaft might work

 

Worth a look, if little to no gap between the br*** and the steel teeth you will know it needs syncros, obviously spin over and check for chipped or broken gears

 

You just reminded me I think I'll need a slip yoke for the saginaw. The factory trans used I think a 16 spline, and the sag should have a 27 spline.

 

Should be a regular th350 yoke on that 4 speed. So easy enough to get

 

We pulled the side cover off the Saginaw and it was CHERRY inside, so now I just need to find a shifter and linkage!

 

don't need a gym when you own/work on a sag.!

 

They are a bit on the lardy side, hoik that ****er up on your chest and PRESS, try not to **** your pants wiggle into place, hope you got the throw out bearing on the shaft this time yeah I’m not young enough for that ******** any more

 

Also be bragging rights to future grandkids when telling them about your 57 Chevy with so much power it snapped the transmission in two.

 

Well ****, the saginaw side cover has a crack under the reverse shaft…

 

Check carefully for cracks in the case around the reverse shaft mounts, when I blew the guts out of mine it spit the reverse gear and shaft right out of the case

 

Hate to say it but you might want to collect a couple more, in my experience it seem like you need 3-4 to make one good one out of parts, no matter what it is, engine/ trans /diff

 

I suppose at that point it would end up being cheaper to buy a nice Muncie

 

Maybe, if you can be sure of condition

 

Did you already buy it, take it home, then find the crack? Best to open them up, and take a good look before plunking down the green.

 

Unfortunately yeah, I already bought it. I did take a look at the internals and it all looks really good, so now I’ve gotta find a replacement side cover for a sane price. I checked ebay and saw a couple for as much as I paid for the trans!